The Tattooed Lady: Ceramic Bust
Ta-da!!!!!!!!! She's finished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you missed the concept, research, and hand-building, check out this link CLICK ME :-)
Mid-Process: Majolica and Staining
I sprayed the pieces with majolica and stain because I prefer it over slip, stain, glaze fr this project. I worked with it on my last project and really liked the way that you could distress the majolica and stain. I create layers and wipe them back, leaving small bits of the under surface treatment showing through the top layers. I also like that you can water down the stain and use it in a way that gives the piece a watercolor effect for shading and adding depth as well as adding to the aesthetic of old and beat up. I chose copper for her skin because I am in love with that color, it echoes a Tim Burton feeling and style, and it contrasts the orange clay under layer that has been wiped back to show through. I chose to make the sign with black and white stripes to bring the feeling of an old Circus or Freak Show tent. I wanted her to be a beautiful woman throughout the ages while also making the point that women with tattoos is an antiquated idea today in our society. She is wearing a lovely red, strapless dress in order to show off her tattoos. Women did not usually tattoo their nicks because they could cover up their tattoos when not doing a show and fit into society. I didn’t really have an idea of what tattoos I wanted to put on her body. Most of the women during this time period usually had photorealistic tattoos of presidents, Mount Rushmore, or something patriotic. Some did not. I chose to just start doing linework and see where it takes me. I made the decision to stain some of the tattoos and I am glad that I did because It really brings attention to them.
Final:
I was extremely happy with how this piece turned out. It is hard to work with stains
because they do not represent the colors that they will be after firing. I think I make
wise color decisions to support my concept (see link here CLICK ME :-)).
